Gregor Brecl Jakob on optic nerve involvement as a core topography in Multiple Sclerosis

In this short interview, Gregor Brecl Jakob discusses the role of the optic nerve as a key anatomical site in multiple sclerosis and its growing relevance in modern diagnostic criteria.

Gregor explains why formally recognizing optic nerve involvement strengthens diagnostic sensitivity, supports earlier identification of MS, and reflects a more comprehensive understanding of disease dissemination.

Watch the interview

In the interview, Gregor Brecl Jakob explains how incorporating optic nerve involvement into diagnostic frameworks can strengthen MS diagnosis and support earlier clinical decision-making.

Key points discussed include:

• The optic nerve as a formally recognized anatomical location in MS diagnosis
• Why optic neuritis carries the same diagnostic weight as brain or spinal cord lesions
• How multimodal tools enhance detection of optic nerve involvement
• The impact of this inclusion on earlier and more confident diagnosis

Throughout the interview, the emphasis is on aligning diagnostic criteria with biological reality, recognizing optic nerve pathology as an integral part of multiple sclerosis.

Can you elaborate on Optic neuritis in the context of the new diagnostic criteria?

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Key messages from Gregor Brecl Jakob

Optic nerve involvement is a core feature of multiple sclerosis and should be systematically considered in the diagnostic process. In this interview, Gregor Brecl Jakob explains how tools such as OCT, visual evoked potentials, and MRI enable reliable detection of optic nerve pathology with meaningful diagnostic impact.

The formal recognition of the optic nerve as a typical topographic location allows for earlier and more confident diagnosis, without compromising specificity. Overall, the discussion reinforces a pragmatic and comprehensive approach to MS diagnosis, ensuring that optic nerve assessment is fully integrated into routine clinical care.

Curious to learn more about the expert behind this interview?

Visit Gregor Brecl Jakob’s full biography for more insights into his expertise.

Gregor Brecl Jakob

Assist. Prof. Gregor Brecl Jakob, MD, PhD, is Head of the Centre for Multiple Sclerosis at
the Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. He is a
neurology consultant with a strong academic and clinical focus on multiple sclerosis and
neuroimmunology. Dr. Brecl Jakob completed his PhD at the University of Ljubljana, where
his research explored the impact of cognitive load on balance and gait in patients with
clinically isolated syndrome.

He is an active member of the European Academy of Neurology and serves on the ECTRIMS
Council (2020–2024). In addition to his clinical roles, he is a principal investigator in
international clinical trials and a published author in numerous peer-reviewed journals on MS
diagnostics, treatment, and patient outcomes.

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